Coaches keeper bag for securing personal items for a group of individuals

ABSTRACT

A bag and storage system is provided for securing personal items. The bag comprises an outer casing, an inner frame, and a fastening assembly. The outer casing includes a cavity which forms the primary storage area. The primary storage area is configured to provide access to a plurality of storage cases that are secured within the primary storage area by way of a flap and a plurality of dividers. The inner frame that can be assembled inside the cavity and made larger than an opening so that the inner frame does not slide out of the opening. The fastening assembly is configured to restrict and allow access to the primary storage area.

FIELD

The present invention relates to storage and carrying devices. In particular, the present invention relates to bags for organizing, carrying and storing items for at least a plurality of individuals.

BACKGROUND

Bags for storing and carrying items, such as duffel bags and rolling luggage, are known in the art. In particular, duffel bags have become popular in recent years because they are lightweight and have a flexible construction which provides users with an ability to store large quantities of items. Additionally, duffel bags are typically made from flexible materials which allows the duffel bag to be easily folded or crumpled for storage. However, since duffel bags are formed from flexible materials, it is generally not feasible to stand them on their wheeled end because the sides and lid of the bag tend to sag under the weight of the non-wheeled end which, in turn, can tip the duffel bag over as the weight of the handle assembly cannot uniformly sag with the sides and the lid.

Further, rolling luggage has also become increasingly popular in recent years. With rolling luggage, a wheel assembly is used to roll, rather than carry, the luggage. Typically, such rolling luggage configurations are suitcases with a primary opening for storing items. Since those rolling luggage configurations typically have only one such opening for storing items, the items stored inside are often disorganized and thus hard to locate, especially in the case where items belonging to more than one person are stored.

This problem is particularly prevalent for coaches of school sports as they now have to store a variety of valuable personal items, such as phones, for every player on the team. Due to the limitations described above, prior luggage configurations make it challenging for the coaches to simultaneously store items for more than one player on the team before the game and then easily retrieve those items and distribute them back to each player after the game.

The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a bag and storage system for storing and securely holding items for at least a plurality of individuals. The purpose of the bag and the system is to securely store and keep valuable items in place during group activities. The group activities can include, for example, school sports, plays or recitals. In one embodiment, the bag is configured to provide a way to store valuable items while keeping them organized so that the valuable items may be quickly and easily identified and retrieved. The bag includes an outer casing comprising a cavity which forms a primary storage area which is configured to provide access to a plurality of storage cases. The bag further includes an inner frame that can be assembled inside the cavity and made larger than an opening so that the inner frame does not slide out of the opening. The bag also includes a fastening assembly configured to provide access to the primary storage area and is further configured to allow for locking items inside the bag in order to prevent unauthorized access to the items.

This Summary and the Abstract are provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary and the Abstract are not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor are they intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate one embodiment of a bag for storing and securing items.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the bag with a flap in an open position.

FIG. 3 illustrates an inner frame and dividers used for separating the storage compartments from one another.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a divider used to separate one storage compartment from another storage compartment.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an inner frame.

FIG. 6 illustrates the inner frame in a collapsed position.

FIG. 7 illustrates the inner frame in an expanded position inside the bag.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the fastener assembly.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating steps for assembling the bag.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating steps for using the bag and the storage system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate one embodiment of a bag and storage system 100 for storing and securely holding valuable items for at least a plurality of individuals involved in a group activity. The group activity can include, for instance, school sports, plays or recitals. Moreover, by way of example, the items for storing inside the bag can include any type of personal items, such as but not limited to keys, jewelry, watches, and also any type of electronic devices, such as but not limited to phones, digital cameras, iPads®, and the like.

In one embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, the bag 100 has an outer casing 102, an outer framework 103, and a fastening assembly 106. The outer casing 102 comprises a cavity 108, a flap 122, a plurality of wheels 110, a retractable telescoping pull handle assembly 112, a stationary sewn-in handle 114, a plurality of exterior pockets 116 and a shoulder strap 118. The retractable telescoping pull handle assembly 112 can be hidden away by way of a covering. The outer framework 103 has a rigid bottom and sewn-in wire framework to provide support. The fastening assembly 106 is configured to restrict and allow access to a primary storage area 104 (discussed below). In one embodiment, the outer casing 102 is soft sided or partially rigid, and has fixed borders 120 so that the items stored inside the primary storage area 104 are less prone to being deformed. Moreover, in partially rigid embodiments, the rigidity of the outer casing 102 allows the bag 100 to easily be wheeled upright on wheels 110.

Because in some organized events it is a requirement that coaches or others in charge have a medical kit with them at all times, in some exemplary embodiments the storage system/bag 100 includes a screen print or other forms of designation, for example in white or red, of a cross 117 on an exterior pocket 116 to indicate that the bag contains medical supplies. Although not necessarily provided as part of the storage system, the exterior pocket 116 can contain various medical items such as bandages, scissors, bandage wraps, medical creams and ointments, etc. Thus, the storage system provides additional convenience by combining the storage of personal items with storage of a medical kit.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the primary storage area 104 is formed within the cavity 108 of the outer casing 102. The flap 122 covers the primary storage area 104 and is configured to provide access to a plurality of storage cases 124 (discussed below). The primary storage area 104 houses at least the plurality of storage cases 124, an inner frame 126 and dividers 128. As shown, the storage cases 124 are placed into at least a plurality of rows separated by dividers 128 which are removably connected to the inner frame 126. When in a closed position, the flap 122 covers the storage cases 124 in the primary storage area 104. Similarly, when in an open position, the flap 122 is moved so as to allow access to the storage cases 124 being stored inside the primary storage area 104.

In one embodiment, a fixed side 130 of the flap 122 is secured to the outer casing 102 via a hinge 132 which allows the flap 122 to swing open and close relative to the outer casing 102. Remaining sides 134, 136, 138 of the flap 122 are removably connected to the fastening assembly 106, which ensures that when the flap 122 is in the closed position, the flap 122 remains in that position in order to prevent access to the items being stored inside the storage cases 124. In one embodiment, the outer surface 140 of the flap 122 displays the school name and logo. In another embodiment, the outer surface 140 can also display both the school (or other organization or group) name and logo along with the team name and logo. In a further embodiment, the inner surface 142 of the flap 122 can have printing thereon to display section identifiers 144 which are used to easily identify in which one of sections 146, 148, 150, the player's storage case 124 was placed. Although in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the section identifiers 144 are denoted by numbers, it should be noted that symbols used to identify the section identifiers 144 can include any symbol, such as but not limited to alphabet letters, as long as they help the player remember which one of the sections 146, 148, or 150 contains his or her storage case 124.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the plurality of storage cases 124 are shown as they are placed inside the primary storage area 104. In an exemplary embodiment, each storage case 124 is approximately 8 inches across and 10½ inches tall. Moreover, in another embodiment, each storage case 124 has an opening 153 for depositing the items the player would like to store for the duration of the game. Opening 153 can be closed with a zipper 155 so that the deposited items do not fall out of the storage case 124 should the bag 100 be tilted in any direction. In one embodiment, each storage case 124 can be personalized with a label 156 where the student can write his or her name. The label 156 can be sewn onto each storage case 124. In a further embodiment, each storage case 124 comprises a smaller version of the custom-embroidered school logo 158. In yet a further embodiment, each storage case 124 has a color that matches the school color. In one embodiment, there are a plurality of storage cases 124 (e.g., thirty six) that are split into three rows where each row contains approximately one third of the storage cases 124. The storage cases 124 can be stored inside the primary storage area 104 for the duration of the group activity.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate the inner frame 126 that is configured to receive the dividers 128 which allow for separating the storage cases 124 into at least the plurality of rows. The inner frame 126 can be assembled inside the cavity 108 and made larger than the opening 152 so that the inner frame 126 does not slide out of the opening 152. The inner frame 126 includes four at least partially rigid panels 160. In one embodiment, the inner frame 126 can be made of a flexible material that binds the panels 160. Panels 160 a, 160 c have the approximately the same length. Similarly, panels 160 b, 160 d can also have the same length. In the illustrated embodiment, all of the panels 160 a-d are connected to adjacent panels via sewn-in seams, except panels 160 a and 160 d which are connected to each other via a Velcro (or other hook-and-loop fastener) closure 165. In alternative embodiments, panels 160 a-d can be connected by way of any fastening system, such as a Velcro® closure between each panel. It should be noted that the connection between two of the panels should be separable so that inner frame 126 can collapse in order to fit inside the bag.

In one embodiment, the dividers 128 are rigid or at least partially rigid panels 168 covered by a durable fabric 170 seamed along the bottom 172 (shown in FIG. 3) and sides 176 (shown in FIG. 4) of the dividers 128. When placed inside the inner frame 126, the dividers 128 are connected to the longer sides of the inner frame 126 by any suitable fastening system 178. The fastening system 178 used to secure the dividers 128 in place can comprise a Velcro (or other hook-and-loop fastener) closure 180 where two strips 182, 184 made from surfaces configured to grip upon contact are used. As shown in FIGS. 3-5, both sides 176 of the dividers 128 have the strips 182 and both of panels 160 b and 160 d have corresponding strips 184 such that dividers 128 are secured between panels 160 b and 160 d. In one embodiment, the strips 184 are Velcro strips and are equally spaced from one another and from the edges of the panels so as to fasten to strips on the dividers.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the inner frame 126 can comprise three equally-spaced interior compartments 166 at the left, the center and the right. These equally-spaced interior compartments 166 can be configured to correspond to the section identifiers 144 which were discussed above in connection with FIG. 2. The storage cases 124 can be vertically inserted into one of the interior compartments 166 after the students deposit their valuables in their storage cases 124. By knowing in which interior compartment 166 the storage case 124 has been inserted, the student can then tell the coach the precise compartment 166. This, in turn, would speed up the distribution of the storage cases 124 back to the students for faster storage case and items retrieval.

FIGS. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the fastening assembly 106 which keeps the outer casing 102 closed and prevents access to the primary storage area 104. As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 8, the fastening assembly 106 includes a zipper 186 having a sliding tab 192 for securing the flap to other portions of the outer casing 102 to close or seal access to the primary storage area 104. In a further embodiment, the fastening assembly can comprise a plurality of sliding tabs 192. In still a further embodiment, the fastening assembly also includes a lock 188, such as a single-dial or multi-dial combination lock. In yet a further embodiment, the fastening assembly includes a ring 194 coupled to an outer edge of the outer casing. The lock can be used to keep the flap 122 in the closed position by securely holding both the ring 194 and the plurality of sliding tabs 192 in place.

The bag 100 described above can be sold to schools as a system that includes a plurality of storage cases 124. A school can purchase the bag system for a minimal price by asking each student to pay a nominal fee to receive one of the storage cases 124. At the time of the filing of this application, an exemplary nominal fee for the storage case can be, for example, $10.00. If the school is able to sell, for example, all (e.g., thirty six) of the personalized storage cases 124, and provided the school is charged approximately $375.00 for one system, then the total cost of the system to the school would amount to approximately $15.00, making the system affordable to the school.

In one embodiment, the storage cases 124 can be personalized to each student. Specifically, the storage case can include a label 156 where each student can write his or her name with a permanent marker. The label 156 can be sewn onto each storage case 124. In another embodiment, the storage cases 124 can be imprinted with the school logo below the label.

In another embodiment, in addition to the plurality of storage cases 124, the schools can also be provided with a plurality of complementary matching backpacks which can also be imprinted with the school logo. The complementary matching backpacks can be used by the students to store a storage case 124 and the student's items before they are transferred to the storage system 100 during an organized school activity.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating steps for assembling the bag. As shown at step 910, a bag 100 having a lid and an opening is obtained. Then at step 920, an inner frame 126 of the bag is collapsed so that the inner frame 126 fits into an opening of the bag 100. Thereafter at step 930, the inner frame 126 is expanded inside the opening. When in the expanded position, the inner frame 126 is larger than the opening and is adapted so that the inner frame 126 will not come out of the bag 100. At step 940, dividers 128 are inserted into the inner frame 126 and a fastening assembly 106 can be used to secure the dividers 128 to the inner frame 126.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating steps for using the bag and the storage system 100. As shown in step 950, a personalized storage case 124 is provided to each student on a team. At step 960, the student is instructed to write his or her name on a label sewn on to the personalized storage case 124. Then, at step 970, the student places his or her valuable items inside the storage case 124. Thereafter in step 980, the coach of the team puts the student's storage case 124 inside the inner frame of the bag. At step 990, the coach can selectively secure the storage system 100 with a lock 188 so as to prevent unauthorized access to the storage cases 124.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage system for storing and securing personal items for a group of individuals involved in a group activity, the storage system comprising: a bag having an outer casing defining a cavity, surrounded by the outer casing, which forms a primary storage area, the outer casing including an opening to the primary storage area and a securable flap configured to selectively prevent or allow access to the primary storage area through the opening; a collapsible inner frame positionable within the cavity, the collapsible inner frame having a plurality of at least partially rigid panels which define at least a portion of a plurality of separate storage compartments within the primary storage area, the plurality of at least partially rigid panels having connections to adjacent at least partially rigid panels to form a substantially rectangular inner frame portion, each of the plurality of at least partially rigid panels being moveable relative to adjacent at least partially rigid panels such that the collapsible inner frame can be collapsed into a collapsed position and inserted through the opening in the outer casing, and such that the collapsible inner frame can be expanded to an expanded position within the primary storage area to form the substantially rectangular inner frame portion, wherein when positioned in the primary storage area and expanded to the expanded position forming the substantially rectangular inner frame portion the inner frame portion is larger than and does not fit through the opening.
 2. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the collapsible inner frame further comprises a plurality of dividers which are removably connectable between an opposing pair of the plurality of at least partially rigid panels when the collapsible inner frame is in the expanded position within the primary storage area to define the plurality of separate storage compartments within the primary storage area.
 3. The storage system of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of dividers is removably connectable between the opposing pair of at least partially rigid panels using hook-and-loop fasteners.
 4. The storage system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of at least partially rigid panels comprise four panels, and wherein the connections between a first panel and a second panel, between the second panel and a third panel, and between the third panel and a fourth panel are sewn-in seams allowing the first and second panels to fold relative to one another, the second and third panels to fold relative to one another, and the third and fourth panels to fold relative to one another.
 5. The storage system of claim 4, wherein the connection between the fourth panel and the first panel comprises hook-and-loop fasteners and wherein the fourth and first panels are detached from one another to collapse the inner frame for inserting the inner frame through the opening.
 6. The storage system of claim 2, and further comprising a plurality of section identifiers on an inner surface of the securable flap such that when the securable flap is opened to allow access to the primary storage area, each of the plurality of section identifier is positioned to identify a separate one of the plurality of separate storage compartments.
 7. The storage system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of section identifiers comprise numbers or letters printed on the inner surface of the securable flap.
 8. The storage system of claim 6, and further comprising a plurality of separate storage cases for members of the group of individuals, the plurality of separate storage cases each sized to fit within one of the plurality of separate storage compartments.
 9. The storage system of claim 8, and further comprising a fastening assembly, including a lock, the fastening assembly configured to restrict and allow access to the plurality of separate storage cases when positioned in the separate storage compartments of the primary storage area.
 10. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the bag is a soft sided bag.
 11. The storage system of claim 10, wherein the bag is a duffel bag.
 12. The storage system of claim 10, and further comprising wheels positioned on the duffel bag for transporting the bag.
 13. The storage system of claim 12, and further comprising a collapsible handle coupled to the bag for pulling the bag.
 14. The storage system of claim 10, and further comprising a name associated with the group of individuals printed on an outer surface of the securable flap.
 15. The storage system of claim 10, and further comprising a logo associated with the group of individuals printed on an outer surface of the securable flap.
 16. The storage system of claim 2, and further comprising a plurality of exterior pockets on the bag, wherein at least one of the exterior pockets includes medical supply storage area identifier.
 17. The storage system of claim 16, wherein the medical supply storage area identifier comprises a cross symbol. 